Dutton Unveils $21 Billion Defence Boost, Pledges to Prepare Australia for Future Threats
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has announced a major increase in defence spending under a Coalition government, pledging an additional $21 billion for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) over the next five years — nearly double Labor’s proposed rise.
Unveiling the policy alongside Shadow Defence Minister Andrew Hastie in Western Australia, Dutton said the Coalition would lift defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2030, with an “aspiration” to reach 3% within a decade. The move would bring total annual defence expenditure to $30.9 billion more by 2029–30 than current levels, and $8.4 billion higher than Labor’s current forecast for that year.
“The Coalition will strengthen the Australian Defence Force and support our servicemen and women to keep us safe today and for generations to come,” Dutton said.
He criticised the Albanese government for what he described as weakening national defence during an increasingly unstable global climate.
“Over the last three years, Labor has done nothing but rip money out of Defence, weakening strength and morale,” he claimed.
Policy and Politics Collide
The announcement, which includes a previously revealed plan to reinstate a fourth squadron of F-35A Joint Strike Fighters, comes late in the campaign and is being viewed as a key election pitch on national security. Senior Liberals privately acknowledged the delay, citing campaign dynamics as a factor.
Today’s announcement also marks only the second major joint appearance between Dutton and Hastie this campaign, after their earlier event in the Northern Territory promising to return the Port of Darwin to Australian control.
Spotlight on Andrew Hastie
Hastie’s lower profile during the national campaign has led to speculation about internal party dynamics and his distance from Dutton’s leadership. The former SAS officer and MP for Canning is seen by many as a potential future leader of the Liberal Party.
Labor has drawn attention to the absence of the word “Liberal” from Hastie’s election signs, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese suggesting it reflects deeper “chaos” within the Coalition.
“I don’t know where Andrew Hastie’s been. He’s the shadow defence minister,” Albanese remarked earlier this week.
In response, Hastie pointed to an extensive campaign schedule, saying he has visited 24 electorates nationwide and is actively defending his marginal seat. He also said Liberal branding still features in communications sent to voters.
With less than two weeks until polling day, Hastie is expected to remain in WA, focusing on promoting the Coalition’s defence policy and helping regain key Liberal targets, including Tangney, Hasluck, and Pearce, as well as contesting the new seat of Bullwinkel.
